Comments on: Kobe Bryant Thinks Next Season Will Be His Lasthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/
Your Source For The Best In BasketballMon, 14 Mar 2016 23:25:37 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1By: Mark A. Gabrielhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2709114
Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:41:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2709114Hi Kobe die hard laker nation fan for life here I pray for your fast recovery and hope to see u and Laker and company again together and go to the playoffs again.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2699085
Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:39:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2699085All isolations in the Princeton offense are unintended. That’s what I was trying to allude to. You think they were, which I understand, but they weren’t. That’s what I was trying to say all preseason, if they run that offense, it isn’t going to work, and everyone will be unhappy. Kobe was doing well as an individual, but it wasn’t befitting the team.
]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2699082
Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:18:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2699082The mid-range J is inefficient. I never disagreed with that. But once the POs start and he starts facing better D that forces him to pull up, I believe he’s gonna find it tough. Well, I could be wrong but all I can do is take a wait and watch approach with this one.

Kobe created unintended iso situations? Wait, what? Kobe for the most part got into the areas near the elbow, received the ball and scored the heck outta it. Didn’t pass it a ton but converted at a superb rate. I never said the O was balanced right? I simply said he played excellently as a finisher. Also, the team didn’t lose because of the offense early in the season. They were scoring a ton even if it was very unbalanced. What bit them was the defense. Dwight not being Dwight really hurt this team during that stretch.

]]>By: Yi-Cheng Chenhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2699073
Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:41:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2699073True. Nobody expect them to be this bad with 4 star players.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698990
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:41:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698990“I’d hold out on Harden if I were you. It remains to be seen how his no-midrange game translates in the post-season without other scoring threats around him to draw attention away and open up driving or shooting lanes.”
— HAHAHAHAHAHA, what has Kobe’s mid range game proven in those situations? a whole lot of nothing. that’s what.

.. The mid range jump shot is the most inefficient and over used shot in basketball. You know what i think when you tell me a SHOOTING GUARD doesn’t have a mid range game? GOOD. He should be behind the three point line or in the paint. He shouldn’t be taking up space in the middle of the court where the best mid range jump shooters hit a whopping 50%. — There is a reason the Rockets have a better record then the Lakers despite considerably less talent on the roster. They play the most efficient brand of basketball possible (lay-ups and 3’s) – for example, they as a team have shot 131 more three point attempts in the exact same amount of games, yet they shoot .461% from the field compared to .458% for the Lakers.

.”Kobe has shown that he can easily play off-the ball as a finisher. And he played that role to absolute perfection early in the season under MikeB”

— loooooool, Kobe proved how good he was off the ball? You mean in that Princeton offense that Kobe totally over ruled and created stagnation and unintended isolation situations? i mean, sure, he was catching the ball in areas that he likes to shoot, but nobody was reaping any benefits of assists or the team actually having success….so i wouldn’t really call that proving you can do something when your team literally won 1 out of 5 games, and that win was against Detroit.

.

]]>By: Conorhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698973
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:14:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698973Difficult to do so when your teammates are incessantly injured and those that do play are inept offensively. But that’s Bryant’s fault, right? For not mentoring them?

Howard only played like himself beginning in March and Gasol/Hill/Nash/MWP have been a collective revolving door of missed time.

]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698935
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:20:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698935I’d hold out on Harden if I were you. It remains to be seen how his no-midrange game translates in the post-season without other scoring threats around him to draw attention away and open up driving or shooting lanes.

Kobe has shown that he can easily play off-the ball as a finisher. And he played that role to absolute perfection early in the season under MikeB.

Kobe can play that way. And he showed complete willingness to play that way early this season. I’m thinking it’s more due to Mike D’Antoni’s insistence with the Lakers getting ravaged by injuries that Kobe reverted back to dominating the ball. The team badly needed Nash to be healthy and Antoni/MikeB to give more power to Nash but injuries derailed that plan. The team then tried to put the ball in Pau’s hands at the elbow and have Kobe cut in from the wings but then Pau went down.

Kobe right now is similar to Gay in his prime. Mostly because of his body breaking down.

He’s been passing out of tons of tough shots this season but the Lakers still need him to make some of those shots to maintain spacing. The team needs better shooters or better plays run or better passers to execute the plans to prevent Kobe from getting into such positions…….atleast until he overrides all that, says fck all and goes solo in close Q4 games lol.

]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2707417
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:19:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2707417I’d hold out on Harden if I were you. It remains to be seen how his no-midrange game translates in the post-season without other scoring threats around him to draw attention away and open up driving or shooting lanes.

Kobe has shown that he can easily play off-the ball as a finisher. And he played that role to absolute perfection early in the season under MikeB.

Kobe can play that way. And he showed complete willingness to play that way early this season. I’m thinking it’s more due to Mike D’Antoni’s insistence with the Lakers getting ravaged by injuries that Kobe reverted back to dominating the ball. The team badly needed Nash to be healthy and Antoni/MikeB to give more power to Nash but injuries derailed that plan. The team then tried to put the ball in Pau’s hands at the elbow and have Kobe cut in from the wings but then Pau went down.

Kobe right now is similar to Gay in his prime. Mostly because of his body breaking down.

He’s been passing out of tons of tough shots this season but the Lakers still need him to make some of those shots to maintain spacing. The team needs better shooters or better plays run or better passers to execute the plans to prevent Kobe from getting into such positions…….atleast until he overrides all that s.h.i.t and goes solo in close Q4 games lol.

]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698791
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698791– My bad, i read that as his ability to do damage off the dribble will almost disappear. That’s my fault. I agree with this, and I think that process has already begun.
– I have Kobe at 8 right now (LeBron/Durant/Paul/Howard/Wade/Westbrook/Harden/Bryant) assuming everyone is healthy. With obviously the gap between 5-8 being completely about opinion and preference.
– He already should be doing these things you speak of when talking about Ray Allen. The sooner he realizes (if he ever does) that he can use his teammates as tools, the sooner he will be able to unload some of the stress he’s been putting on himself.
– He already takes too many jump shots with a defender all over him. Less than the last couple years, but still too many. He’s just better than Rudy Gay, so he makes a higher % of those low % shots. He’s a much more skiller, well rounded player. But as a scorer he’s very similar.
– And thank you.
– And i think i am right. not very often do guys walk away from the game when they are still close to being a top 10 player. and i really don’t see Kobe being one of those guys.
]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698774
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:51:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698774I didn’t say he couldn’t take them off the dribble. I said that defenses can recover quicker and hence, he’ll have a hard time finishing near the rim with reduced athleticism and separation.

How dare you not have Kobe in your top5 right now?! Hater. Lol.

I didn’t say he would be a Ray Allen in the literal sense. What I meant was he’ll have to start utilizing screens and get plays drawn up for him to get him space near the elbow to do his damage. And I stick by that since I believe his injuries will hamper him 2 years from now.

Kobe is much more than a more efficient Rudy Gay right now. What I meant was 2 years from now, his play would resemble Rudy Gay’s i.e. a guy who takes too many jump shots with the defender all over him to be very efficient. Mainly because he won’t have enough spring to shoot over defenders.

And my bad. Jason Terry was a pretty neat example.

Maybe you’re right. Kobe might be able to play. However, I still think he’s gonna be mentally drained by the end of next season and he’d probably not want to go through the phase of not being able to do atleast 80% of what he used to do in his prime.

]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698740
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:25:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698740OK, I will concede to being corrected on Iverson chucking. I will openly admit I don’t like the guy, and can’t stand him.

BTW, my comparison to the Wizards was making light of the fact that you claimed the Lakers had a serviceable roster by referring to what each starter did in their PAST, which is exactly what I was doing with the Wizards comparison.

You are misrepresenting the context of my argument, just like you misrepresented the context of the Lakers season.

]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698738
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:22:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698738Its cute that you think my knowledge of the game is laughable while calling Pau the best international player of all time. Yeah….
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698734
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:18:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698734click on the disqus icon and it will take you to the disqus website. it’s just like any other password/login name recovery system once you are there.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698730
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:15:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698730i don’t see any reason to believe Kobe will turn into a guy who can’t take people off the dribble in just 2 years.

.

and i don’t have Kobe in the top 5 NOW, so i don’t know why him dropping out of that last in your opinion would be a rebuttal against what i said?

.

i said Kobe wouldn’t be just a role player in a couple years. and if his team still has a chance at a title he will not retire.

.

and he can be the third best player on the team and still be it’s second or even first option. And the team would still have a shot at competing, assuming they are put together with some semblance of balance, and Kobe get’s to play next to a wing & point guard who defensively, will enable Kobe to “hide” for lack of a better word.

.

– Kobe will never become a Ray Allen.
– Kobe is already a more efficient Rudy Gay
.
He might not be a top 15 player, but that doesn’t really matter. Jason Terry was arguably not in the top 50 as a player, yet he was the second option on a championship team.
.
There is a stark contrast between a “role player” and a top 15 player. And that contrast makes up a huge middle ground that is taken up by the majority of team’s second and third options.

]]>By: makofacehttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698674
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:37:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698674gonna miss this guy, after jordan retired- we were very lucky to get to watch a guy able to emulate jordans style, footwork, drive, and game. 2nd best 2 guard of all time is nothing to disrespect. we ve had 30 years of amazing 2 guards- gonna be a dry crop after he leaves at the 2 spot and at centre already. i hope his game inspires a new batch of 2 guards- the way mj inspired a generation of 2 s before him, and that we see another young 2 emerge with the dedication, polish and drive of a kobe. amazing contribution to the game. imagine the L if kobe never played- the league would have certainly missed not having a player with that kind of competititveness. he s showed the league what it takes to be great night in and night out. he deserves all the accolades and farewells befitting the 2nd best 2 guard, and 3rd best guard of all time. okay maybe 4th best after magic, mj and oscar in my book- but in any case- its kobe versus history now- no longer kobe versus his peers.
]]>By: Hans Lowyn Castillohttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698667
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:23:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698667before u retire.. make sure u will be the 3rd all time scoring list.. 800points more to go for u kobe bryant and u can surpass michael jordan.. 😀
]]>By: Dingohttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698666
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:08:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698666….I just finish watching a recent interview, he indicated he is fully rejuvenated and credits his diet in part. I’m calling bluff

Over the next 40 games or so he will surpass Jordan if he keeps his average up and over the next 3 years be a chance to reach at least 1 final looking at Lakers history. I don’t believe he sees himself retiring before 40 unless there is a major injury.

He needs to stop kidding us and take us to the unknown, even a place MJ couldn’t take us. I don’t want to hear Kobe with excuses just in case his level of play might drop dramatically, I want him to stick it out believe in himself, I want him to accept the challenge and rise above and I want him to say such things.

He has learnt many skills from Jordan, one must be surely the lesson of ill timed retirements.

Another dynamic in this entire saga is how Dwight is gonna react. If he doesn’t prefer playing with Kobe ( and they’ve had their issues recently. Watch the game vs the Bucks if you don’t get what I’m alluding to ) then Kobe’s a goner.

]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698662
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:51:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698662I’m pretty sure some guy is gonna knock Kobe off the top 5 list by then. Top 15? Kobe can still be that. However, it’s not just about his skills and his ability.

He won’t be able to play well consistently and he will struggle to play through injuries and go through rehab like Nash and Pau are going through right now.

He will not be able to play heavy minutes and he won’t be able to drive past players or generate enough separation for his Js esp. if teams put athletic defenders on him. Even if he can get them to make mistakes, the defenders can recover. Posting him up is an option but as long as teams put long guys on him, Kobe’s gonna find it hard to shoot over them. He could’ve become a playmaker but his handles are fcked up because of his fingers and he has a pretty bad AST:TO ratio. Teams won’t double him anymore so the ratio won’t change even if he gets better teammates.

He can become a Ray Allen type catch and shoot player but again…….that’s not Kobe Bryant. And I don’t think Kobe’s ego can take that. And I think it doesn’t need to as well.

So, where does that leave Kobe?? 1. Scoring punch off the bench ( If he wants to break Kareem’s record, THIS is his best shot )

2. Become a more efficient Rudy Gay ( Watching Gay not cut in and jack up shots from the perimeter like he’s Nash or Dirk or Kobe right now.)

The less said about his D the better; ( Although Mike D deserves a big F U for the way he;s handled Kobe’s minutes. The strain is showing these last few games )

This is what Kobe’s gonna be like in 3 years. And this is IF he can maintain his ridiculous training and diet. He’s gonna be mentally exhausted. And not being able to do things he could do easily in his prime is gonna add to it.

I don’t think Kobe’ll be a top 10 or top 15 player 2 years from now. No possible way.

BTW, does anyone know how to register with Disqus? I don’t know what the password of my account is 😐

]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698659
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:57:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-26986591 on 1, I think LBJ has a chance of beating Jordan since he’s bigger and stronger with great all around skills, but in a team setting nobody has been better. Kobe is poor man’s Jordan in almost every way (except for 3pt accuracy). And that’s not a diss to him at all. Kobe was and still is a damn good player for all the criticism he gets.
]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698658
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:54:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698658Let’s say if the first two fiddles are good enough to make him 3rd fiddle, then the team has a good chance of winning the championship. Just imagine, yah, our 3rd best player is Kobe. Uh huh.
]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698657
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:53:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698657Hell yeah he was better. His fadeaway was something he developed to maintain his dominance (although he does fade AWAY far, so it’s not like a crappy fadeaway where you just lean back). Kobe can do the same, but his scoring will go down to about 20, if he can stomach that. If he can, then he could play till he’s 40. At the same time Jordan did retire and un retire a couple times (or once), so he wouldn’t have played as many years (as well as entered the league at a later age).
]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698655
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:48:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698655Kobe Mu***N Bryant indeed. Everyone expected a dropoff in production and what does he do? Starts out first half of the season posting record (for him) numbers.
]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698654
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:47:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698654Agreed. If all the super talented players worked maybe 85% as hard as he does, the league would be a better place.
]]>By: JLhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698653
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:45:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698653That’s what happens when you go out when you’re still on top (maybe not the peak, but still close to it). It’s not like he wants rings where he’s not the leader, nor does he look like he wants to chase Jabaar’s scoring record (nor can he realistically reach it).
]]>By: arlindaatkinsonhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698640
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:14:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698640my co-worker’s step-mother makes $76 hourly on the computer. She has been laid off for 6 months but last month her income was $15482 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read more on Ask25.c­om
]]>By: Yi-Cheng Chenhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698635
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:28:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698635He should learn to step back, be a mentor and make his teammates better instead, in that way, IMO, he can earn a few more rings without carrying the entire team all the time.
]]>By: Anthony Darnello Taylor Jr.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698632
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:37:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698632Hakeem and Dirk would like a word with you about who is the best International player of all time MANU might but in too.lol
]]>By: Kurt Rambishttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698590
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:44:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698590I hope he retires. Then, the Lakers can use that 30 million to get a few unselfish players and win some games again. 11 for 33 and he thinks that’s ok!
]]>By: The Seedhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698589
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:39:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698589Kobe actually is setting up the Lakers, for them to state they will not resign him. Then Kobe will go to another team and it will not look like he left the Lakers. Mamba then could sign with any team he wants. VinoSMART!!!
]]>By: Roberthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698588
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:28:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698588Thank you. Iverson averaged 24.8 and 26.4 in Denver 2006-07, 2007-08 on 19 attempts, and 17.5 on 14 attempts in Detroit 2008-09. He didn`t chuck in Denver, Detroit, nor Philly (2nd stint) despite playing with lesser talent. But based on his comparisons between the 2003 Wizards and 2013 Lakers, @facebook-509819249:disqus won`t understand this.
]]>By: slamfan4lifehttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698578
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698578sign with CHICAGO…like you always wanted 😀
]]>By: LakeShowhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698576
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:55:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698576Calm down bro…
]]>By: Allen Powellhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698573
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:45:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698573This never happened. Iverson never got the chance to do this. He put 24 a game in Denver and 18 in Detroit. He was definitely not a chucked in his return to Philly.
]]>By: Allen Powellhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698572
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:41:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698572You know that HGH test coming in.
]]>By: robbhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698569
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:27:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698569I agree
]]>By: Philhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698570
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:27:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698570Insecure Jordan fans.
]]>By: TRhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698566
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:10:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698566kobe is skilled enough to play for another 5-6 years and with the way medicine has advanced and the NBAs lack of testing, its not hard to imagine. Not saying Kobe uses anything illegal, but I’m sure a good amount of these guys do.
]]>By: Roberthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698565
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:09:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698565You know what…. I am sorry. Responding to you was a mistake because you are clearly not of the right mind since you believe that there are striking similarities between the Washington Wizards 2003 roster with a 40 year old Jordan and the current 2013 Lakers roster with a 34 year old Kobe. I don`t know if you`re playing around but you definitely can`t be of the right mind. Not to mention, your comparison with the 2011 Celtics team who won 56 games that season and loss to Miami who eventually loss to Dallas in the finals. I understand your passion but your knowledge of the game is laughable. So there is no reason for us to continue the conversation.
]]>By: Kobe Bryanthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698555
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:46:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698555April Fools
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698549
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:17:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698549The team is completely different now so it doesn’t make sense to hire Shaw in terms of pushing that system. None of the main guys outside Kobe would know the triangle (plus Nash would be negated), and Jim Buss hates the triangle and any remenants of PJ’s influence.

If they were gonna hire Shaw they would have done it in 2011 when everyone was pushing for Shaw to be hired internally.

You can’t be serious with “Kobe`s playing with the likes of Nash (future HOF?), Dwight (future HOF?, former DOY), Pau (best international player
ever?), Artest ( former DOY), and Jamison (former all-star)”.

Or that the 2011 Celtics had the best lineup of all time with Shaq, KG, Pierce, Rondo, and Allen. Its the most blanket, non-nonsensical argument I’ve ever heard. Context matters when judging a team.

Dwight is a shell of his former shelf, as has been documented ad nauseum. Pau’s been injured most of the season and has sulked his way through. Nash is a shell of his former shelf, even in games when Kobe ISN’T playing, Artest is a good defensive player but a liability on offense (to say the least). Jamison has been decent. The bench is hit or miss depending on the game.

————————

In the context of what I was saying, my statement was: “cancer who keeps chucking up shots and tries to be the alpha dog while his physical skills/game are no longer elite”.

Unlike Iverson in Detriot or Memphis, Kobe’s level of play and skills are still quite elite. He has led the Lakers to multiple victories through sheer will for the majority of this season, carried the team on his back, and performed like the best player on the team.

Since March 13, he has suffered from an ankle injury and his production has dipped considerably. Yes, he is chucking, but my point was that AI was nowhere near his best in his days in DET and Memphis, but still acted like he was the best. On the other hand, many can argue that pre-injury, 2012/2013 is right up there with Kobe’s best regular seasons considering his age.

]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698542
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:55:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698542You’re right, almost all his scoring milestones have been on the road. Interesting.
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698541
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:54:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698541Agree on him wanting to get #3 and #6, but:

The Lakers are not going to hire PJ. They are already paying Potato Head’s contract (Mike BRown), and are now paying off Pringles contract. PJ will not only cost them a fortune, but it will mean that they have to pay off Pringles contract on top of PJ’s. Plus, PJ was rejected last time mid-sleep. He’s not coming back unless they make him an enormous offer, which I doubt they will do. With Jerry Buss gone, there is no way Jim is going to actively push for PJ.

]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698538
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:50:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698538You say that now rankingno1….you say that now.
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698539
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:50:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698539Who is implying that??
]]>By: Roberthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698536
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:39:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698536If Kobe`s 5-18 performance against Sacramento isn`t chucking, then I
don`t know what is. The game prior to that he was 6-17 against
Milwaukee. Two games before that he was 11-27 against Golden State. A
few games before that he was 11-33 against Atlanta. Btw, these are not good
defensive teams and Kobe`s playing with the likes of Nash (future HOF?),
Dwight (future HOF?, former DOY), Pau (best international player
ever?), Artest ( former DOY), and Jamison (former all-star). The players
around him seem adequate to say the least. But I don`t know what you
classify as chucking? So, what exactly is your definition of chucking?
]]>By: Roberthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698535
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:38:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698535Yes. They will. Iverson skills will always be there at an elite level.
]]>By: Melvin flynthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698522
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:48:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698522does not mean hes better than JORDAN IF HE PASSES HIM ON THE SCORING LIST..!
]]>By: Melvin flynthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698521
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:47:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698521if he passing mj which he will does mean he better than mj, jordan was different kind ball palyer we will never see again. the bean has 2 yrs left make the best of it
]]>By: robbhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698507
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:18:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698507He wants to be the 3rd all time scorer send MJ to the 4th spot and he wants to get at least his 6th ring . If PJ comes back and the Lakers develop some kind of personality I’d say he’d be willing to play two more years. If D’antoni stays and they keep playing this bad, there’s no point in sacrificing as much as he’s sacrificing right now. The way the Lakers are playing? they’re going absolutely nowhere.
]]>By: bikehttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698484
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:35:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698484Kobe’s just jerking everyone off here. He will play at least another three years in an attempt to pull off at least one more chip. And if anyone so much suggests that it is time for him to retire, he will keep on playing just to piss ’em off.

He’s Kobe Motherfu*in Bryant for gods sake.

]]>By: The Philosopherhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698482
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:24:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698482Some of the best basketball the world has ever seen.
Respect.
]]>By: RayJrhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698469
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:15:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698469Kobe’s still got too much fire in him. I say at least 2-3 more seasons especially if they don’t make the playoffs this year.
]]>By: RayJrhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698470
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:15:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-269847098%
]]>By: LakeShowhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698462
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:10:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698462No, he won’t.
Unless the Lakers make some really bad moves.
]]>By: Maxhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698459
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:09:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698459The day Kobe says he will retire, it will be a sad day for basketball. Like him or not, you have to appreciate his greatness.
]]>By: rankingno1http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698455
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:07:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698455good riddance!
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698448
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:05:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698448if he has a chance to catch Jordan. He will not retire.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698443
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:03:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698443if the Lakers have a shot at a title, he will not retire.
.
and he will not be a third fiddle 2 years from now. unless he gets hurt, that is just a dumb theory.
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698446
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:03:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698446I don’t think he’s going to degrade that sharply, I just don’t think he can mentally maintain himself game after game after game and grind out the post game extensive stretch sessions, half an hour ice baths, 2 hour massage sessions, 3 hour shooting sessions, etc.

He’s constantly eluded that the mental/physical toll of playing in your 18th season while still trying to be elite is why he would retire…it wouldn’t be so much cause his skills eroded.

]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698441
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:01:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698441that is naive. you guys are the biggest Kobe fans in the world, and you think he’s going to degrade that much as a player in 2 years?
.
and in 3 years i am going to have to hear you all argue he’s still a top 5 player.
.
what an awful circle
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698439
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:58:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698439Kobe’s D is already a liability.
.
When Kobe and Pau come off the books the team will try and add another player next to Dwight. There is no guarantee at all, that, that player will be a better offensive option then Kobe Bryant.
.
Sh*t, there is no guarantee that Dwight will be a better offensive option then Kobe at that point.
.
In two years, Kobe Bryant is not going to drop from a top 7 player in the whole league, to a Role Player. Don’t be naive.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698438
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:56:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698438Apparently he was only 40. But anyway.

.

at 39 it was Richard Hamilton as his only other good teammate……who so happened to be the starting SG on a championship team, 2 times finalist, 6 time ECF participant. And Jordan was better.

.

at 40, it was Jerry Stackhouse & Larry Hughes, again Jordan was better.

.
So at 39 and 40, Michael Jordan was the best guard on teams with future all-stars. although the team was bad, Jordan was far from a role player.

]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698437
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:55:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698437Nice, that’s exactly what I said in my post above too (re: him being the 3rd option). Don’t think he has that much sacrificing in his personality…Kobe wants to live as the man, and die as the man. No way he’s taking a backseat to any player, let alone 2 players, no matter how old he is.
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698436
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:54:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698436I think his mind wouldn’t be leaning so much towards retirement if the Dwight/Nash experience had worked out like it was supposed to (i.e., saving his legs, less work, etc.). However, he’s exerted himself more this season than any since 2007 and clearly its taking a toll on him mentally and physically. I think just the grind of maintaining your body to the level he does now is more exhausting than anything.

As he’s said, he’ll still be able to play at an elite level past 2014, but the question is does he want to? The mental aspect and physical exhaustion are his only reasons for not wanting to play longer.

Its interesting because after he and Pau come off the books in 2014, there’s no telling who/how much the Lakers can acquire. Say if they have Dwight and land another superstar, will Kobe be willing to play third fiddle at $12 million a year? I doubt it.

]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698435
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:53:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698435Well, once the Lakers get the cap space when Kobe and Pau come off the books, LAL will look to add a secondary star to pair with Dwight. That’d mean Kobe WILL have to be content as being a 3rd option or worse, esp. since his D will be a liability for much of the season.

If he wants to play on a contender, he’ll have to sacrifice a ton. Even if it’s with the Lakers. Unless you believe the Lakers having Kobe as a 3rd option and playing him significant minutes can lead them to a championship even with his and Nash’s defensive shortcomings.

]]>By: 23http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698434
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:50:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698434But who were jordan’s teammates at 41?
]]>By: LPhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698430
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:45:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698430IVERSON’s SKILLS WILL ALWAYS BE ELITE!!!
]]>By: Feez_22http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698427
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:41:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698427Kobe’s implied that he doesn’t want to be a run of the mill role player to end his career off like many of the HOF’s in the history of the game have done. It lines up with what he has been for the majority of the time… He will control and end things on his terms. I like that… he clearly knows what is best for himself and sticks to it. Although, it would have been great if in some instances, he could have just bent for the betterment of the team but i digress.

With that being said, it will suck when he does retire. Kobe isn’t my favorite player and i definitely have criticized some of the things he does on the basketball court but he was still an amazing LEGEND whom will go down as one of the best to ever play this game. His work ethic is legendary and he is a very fierce competitor which are 2 things i can respect. Minus the things i didn’t like, i marvel at his ability to make tough shots, his fearlessness and his ability to just get super hot from the field. True superstar.

As Kobe rides into the sunset (next yr or in the next few years), basketball fans should just enjoy his game and appreciate the level of dedication he has put into his craft. Thanks for all of the years of good exciting basketball you have graced us with, Kobe! That is all.

]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698425
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:40:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698425i didn’t say he’d be a role player. i said he wouldn’t retire.
.
Jordan wasn’t a role player at 41. No way Kobe is a role player at 36.
]]>By: LPhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698424
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:39:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698424APRIL FOOLS!
]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698420
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:36:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698420No way will Kobe be content to be a role player. Even if it’d make his legacy look so much better IMO. A lot of guys think becoming a role player is a bad thing for a player’s legacy as he ages. IMO, that’s bull. It adds to it IMO.

Too bad it’ll never happen.

]]>By: wickedchickenhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698416
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:33:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698416you mean 100% of the league.
]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698417
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:33:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698417Him passing Jordan is gonna be awesome. Just hope it FINALLY happens in Staples. Dude can’t ever seem to reach milestones at Staples……….
]]>By: Drighttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698415
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:31:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698415Man……I gotta start DVR’ing Lakers’ games and be thankful if Kobe goes Supernova again……… Next season is gonna be hard on me. However, I’m glad he’s gonna retire. He’s been run into the ground the past few seasons and he can’t play D anymore for large stretches of the season.
]]>By: nbkhttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698413
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:27:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698413bullsh*t.
.
if the Lakers have any shot at a title.
.
bullsh*t.
]]>By: Gaurav P.http://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698411
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:15:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698411While I believe that he could play another 4-5 years if he wanted, from all indications, the level of maintenance required to keep his body at optimal/elite conditions has thoroughly exhausted Bryant.

I want him to retire while his game is still elite; nobody wants to see Kobe dissolve into a team cancer who keeps chucking up shots and tries to be the alpha dog while his physical skills/game are no longer elite (aka the Allen Iverson route).

]]>By: Mike Gilberthttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/kobe-bryant-thinks-next-season-will-be-his-last/#comment-2698410
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:14:00 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=260602#comment-2698410It’s funny to think that when Kobe retires, he will still be better than 90% of the league
]]>